Details of the freedom of the county ceremony for the warship HMS Northumberland have been revealed.

The ceremony is to take place in Morpeth on Saturday, January 24, the first time Northumberland County Council has bestowed such an honour.

The programme begins at 10.45am when the crew forms up in the car park and assembles in front of Morpeth Town Hall. At 11am the county the council chairman, Coun John Morris, with Commander Alex Burton, will inspect the ship's company.

At 11.10am Coun Morris will address the ship's company and read out a proclamation and then at 11.30am the ship's company march through Morpeth.

The freedom is an ancient practice, allowing the recipients to "march through the town with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying."

The current HMS Northumberland, a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate, was built at Swan Hunter's on the Tyne and launched in 1992.

Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, she is a multi-role ship.